doxy side effects

worthyquest

i'm trying to find away around the enormous cost of malarone. (don't want to take larium --- which is also pricey --- because it gives me awful scary dreams.)

i've avoided doxy previously because i am fair-skinned, but i'm wondering if anyone has first-hand experience with the photosensitiviy side effect. did it show up immediately? how bad? did it go away? did you just sun-burn more easily or did you get a rash, etc.?

wonderwomanusa

Not everybody gets that photo-sensitivity side effect from Doxy; if I did, I'd take plenty of high SPF sunscreen with me, which you, being fair-skinned, should do anyway.

I did have a lot of indigestion on my last visit; not sure if it was from the Doxy or some other reason.

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CindyIndie

I react to doxy -- I don't take it. Had it happen the first time in Nepal on our trek. Didn't understand what the heck was wrong with me, was buring so easy and sooooooooo sun-sensitive. Sun screen did not help, not in my case. I ended up wearing a long-sleeved sweatshirt and keeping my face and hands covered.

Wonderwoman is right tho -- it doesn't happen to every fair-skinned person. It might not happen to you

The only way to find out imo, is to try it. It took me three days of not taking it, to stop the sensitivity.

Can you try it out beforehand and find out?

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Shivani Skydancer

Hi Worthyquest!

I have first hand experience taking Doxycyline for 3 months last year in India. It was during the monsoon season. My complexion is also very fair. I always apply sunblock, routinely, whether or not on medication. I also was worried about possible side effects, especially thrush, and like you, photosensitivity and stomach upsets. I didn't get any of these.

Doxycycline is usually well tolerated by most people. Do use the sunblock though!

goangoangone

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/d...2063.htmlcool:

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iwanttogoback

i took it for six weeks with no side effects. four or five of my friends also took it, and they also suffered no side effects.

we did all use sunblock, but coming from australia it's fairly normal practice.

can you try it out before you go?

worthyquest

thank. yes, i'm thinking about trying it out before i leave. (of course, firs the sun has to come out on the east coast...)

i read recently that only 3% of people suffer side-effects, so those are pretty good odds.

obione980

About 3% of doxy users suffer any side effects. Sun Sensitivity - a good sunscreen pretty much eliminates it. Be sure it is a real sunscreen - SPF30+ (some Indian screens are useless); and apply it thoroughly - a dab here and there or a quick smear won't cut it!

Take doxy after food, and do not lie down for 20 minutes or so to remove the possibility of reflux.

The increased chance of thrush infection can - as always - be much reduced by wearing clean cotton underwear. No synthetics.

edwardseco

For an impressive poster a comment, I have used Doxy with only modest sun sensitivity in the first week or so. The sun block suggestion is a good one though I regret to say I haven't done so yet. It has a nice positive side effect against minor nasties. My brood has used it very satisfactorily. No female problems, etc. As above, mucho importante to take as directed, no monkeying around!
Cheers..

worthyquest

thanks, edward... i'll be giving it a try.
gosh, i was thinking earlier today "i should ask edwardseco, he'll know" and now i've forgotten what it is...

rekahs

This is a great thread and has answered alot of my questions. I am sorry to hijak your thread a bit but I have a question.

We are travelling India for 6 weeks in Jan and Feb 2010 and our Dr has prescribed doxy.

Does everyone take it regardless of time of year?
Is it necessary in Jan/Feb? (yes we are in southern areas)

Your help would be great.

Thanks

70s-80s overlander

(1) In my experience, the Doxy "sun burn" is rather obvious because it is a rather purple-colored skin reaction;
(2) Doxy is worth taking with you -- or buying a few pills upon arrival in India -- because it treats so many different conditions: 100 mg per day for miscellaneous gastrointestinal infections or for malaria prophylaxis -- and "double dose" to "quadrupal dose" for cholera, typhus, anthrax, lyme disease, etc, etc; it does not hurt to tell a local physician you have some doxy with you and ask whether using it might be helpful;
(3) Doxy and all tetracyclines migrate outward toward the skin, so a periodic low dose helps prevent various skin scratches from becoming infected;
(4) Generally it can be taken with food -- if stomach distress is an issue -- but it should be taken somewhat apart from calcium or magnesium tablets.

rekahs

Thanks for your response 70s-80s overlander. It's a great summary and advice.

dillichaat

Although this is technically good advice, it is also potentially dangerous. Someone without medical background will not be able to establish a diagnosis, might take the wrong dosage, as you up the dose, side effects increase, you lose valuable time etc etc.

Bottom line is that you should seek medical advice when you're ill, not just start popping pills.

Doxy is great for malaria prophylaxis IF -as was said above- you get along with it. The phototoxicity varies dramatically between patients and there's no sure way to make predictions, ideally you should try it out at home and then decide. It is, btw, widely available in India but make sure you get it from a reliable source, lots of counterfeit drugs on the market.

Scratches etc should be cleaned and disinfected with betadine or another agent, don't bank on doxy to protect you.

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edwardseco

I would go with that!

I get mild sun sensitivity. In future I would use sun screen. But, last time all I did was practice care outside the first week & then it passed. Women have more of an issue..